LEGO Lord of the Rings Barad-dûr Review + Tolkien Lore Deep Dive

One set to rule them all? In this episode, I’m diving into the massive LEGO Icons Lord of the Rings: Barad-dûr — a 5,471-piece fortress of pure Tolkien awesomeness. Not only do I review the build itself, but I’ll also take you on a journey through the history of Tolkien, the books, the films, and the lore behind Barad-dûr and the ever-watchful Eye of Sauron.

This towering set comes with 10 iconic minifigures (yes, including Sauron himself, Frodo, Sam, Gollum, and more), an automated black gate, hidden rooms packed with Easter eggs, and of course that glowing Eye of Sauron perched high above Middle-earth. It’s equal parts display piece, playset, and Tolkien fan dream come true.

But is Barad-dûr worth its premium price? How does it stack up against other LOTR sets and LEGO Icons releases? And does LEGO really capture the dark magic of Mordor in brick form? I’ll cover all that and more — plus sprinkle in some Tolkien lore for good measure.

If you love LEGO, Lord of the Rings, or just want to geek out over Middle-earth, this is one episode you won’t want to miss.

Music Credit: YouTube Music Library

Welcome to September, builders! In this episode, I’m covering some of the biggest LEGO news and rumors making waves right now — from wild new licensed themes to some eyebrow-raising price tags.

We’ve got a GWP update (yes, the Black Pearl… but don’t expect me to call it “Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Ship”), a quirky little buildable compass coming soon.

But the real spotlight this week? The brand-new LEGO Ideas Gizmo set from Gremlins! Official images just dropped, and this one looks fantastic. From the 3D glasses to the water details on the Mogwai’s back, it’s a brilliant tribute to the classic film — and I’ll spend some extra time breaking it all down.

Rumors are heating up, too: Pokémon is coming in a big way with multiple 18+ sets (and one truly massive build that might just bring Pallet Town to life). Super Mario speculation continues with talk of Peach’s Castle and Bowser’s Ship. Jurassic Park and Harry Potter have some exciting sets on the horizon. Are you a Marvel fan? If so, don't worry - we are even covering some new Iron Man news!

And remember — tonight (9/1/25) at 11:59PM CST is the final chance to enter the MISB Tower Bridge giveaway. If you haven’t jumped in yet, now’s the time. The click on this link to see how to enter:

https://youtu.be/yVyUO3VvAnE

It’s a packed episode, so grab your bricks and let’s dive in.

Music Credit: YouTube Music Library

Think it’s just building sets, hitting record, and racking up subs? Not even close. In this episode, I pull back the curtain on my own journey—from posting my very first LEGO video back in 2018 with nothing more than a $30 knockoff GoPro, to juggling multiple YouTube channels, a podcast, and yes… a full-time job on top of it all.

We’ll talk about the real cost of becoming what some may term, an "influencer" (spoiler: it’s not just LEGO sets). From cameras, mics, and lighting to editing software, music licensing, and the endless late nights spent writing scripts, recording, editing, and uploading—this grind is not for the faint of heart.

But it’s not all stress and spreadsheets. I’ll also share why I keep going, what makes it fun (and addictive), and the lessons I’ve learned along the way about burnout, balance, and why having the right personality matters just as much as having the right gear.

And the big question: Would I do it all again, and should you take the leap into LEGO content in 2025? The answer might surprise you!

If you’ve ever thought about starting your own LEGO channel, podcast, or creative outlet, this episode is your crash course in what it really takes—and why the grind is worth it (even if you’re not getting rich), the pitfalls to avoid, and a few tips to help you start smarter than I did. Thanks for listening!

Music Credit: YouTube Music Library

This week’s episode is stacked with big LEGO news and a few rumors that’ll make your wallet cry. We have a brand-new Willy Wonka and Chocolate Factory set that looks incredible but costs enough to make Grandpa Joe get out of bed again. And if that’s not wild enough, there’s an epic Black Pearl on the horizon that’ll have you digging for buried treasure at almost $400!

Architecture fans, rejoice—there’s serious buzz about the theme making a splash in 2026, with several new sets rumored and even whispers of updated Skylines like Paris and a non so updated super regional why did Lego do this Shanghai. Giving these two "new" sets - I’ll share my wishlist for what cities deserve the spotlight next (Seattle? Toronto? Hong Kong?) and what LEGO needs to make Skyline sets a 2026 must have.

There are also leaks of a retro Sega GWP, Disney sets like a buildable Winnie the Pooh and Slinky Dog book nook, and even a rumor about an upscaled Santa minifig (could a blue spaceman be coming too?).

And yes, the massive MISB Tower Bridge giveaway from the last episode is still happening — make sure you are a subscriber to the YouTube page so you don’t miss your chance to win!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQnq4yduBNP5ePvmrLrxnvA

If you want all the juicy details, my wishlist rants, and some spicy speculation, you won’t want to miss this one. Grab a snack, clutch your wallet, and stick around until the end — it’s a good one.

Music Credit: YouTube Music Library

This week, we’re going big—literally. I’m diving into one of LEGO’s most iconic modular-style landmarks: Set 10214, the Tower Bridge. Released back in 2010, this monster of a set has been on the wishlist of collectors and builders for years, and in this episode I’ll be giving it the full treatment.

Not only will I break down what makes the build fun (and sometimes frustrating), but I’ll also dig into some of the history behind the set, explain why you might see different piece counts on different Tower Bridge boxes, and talk about what it was like when LEGO was still experimenting with landmark builds at this scale. Spoiler: there are a lot of tan bricks involved.

But that’s not all… To celebrate hitting 1,000 subscribers on YouTube (seriously, thank you all so much), I’m doing a massive giveaway—one lucky listener will win their very own brand-new, MISB Tower Bridge. That’s right, a sealed copy of this now-retired set could be headed your way. The catch? You’ll need to listen all the way through this episode for the details on how to enter through the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVyUO3VvAnE

So whether you’re here for LEGO history, a set review, or just the chance to win one of the most beloved LEGO landmark sets of all time, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Thanks for listening!!!

Music Credit: YouTube Music Library

This week’s episode is absolutely packed with brick-breaking news and rumors you don’t want to miss. First up—the Pokémon hype train is officially leaving the station! We’ve got fresh details on LEGO Pokémon sets coming in 2026, and I’m breaking down the latest leaks, speculation, and what it could mean for the future of the theme.

But that’s just the start. Remember the old LEGO World Map that left so many fans frustrated? Well… rumors are swirling about a brand-new map, and I’m talking about whether this one might finally fix the egregious mistakes of its predecessor. Fingers crossed, right?

Then it’s over to the Wizarding World, where the new Hogsmeade Village Collectors Edition somehow got even more expensive—yep, price increases on top of an already overpriced set. Will the included GWP be enough to save it? Or is this one destined to stay on shelves?

Star Wars fans, don’t go anywhere—I’m also covering the move into LEGO busts with Yoda and Vader rumored to be leading the way. Is this a bold new direction or a brick-built mistake? I’ll give you my full take.

And to cap it all off, I’m diving into all 15 amazing submissions from the LEGO IDEAS Design Your Hobby challenge. You’ll want to listen through to the end so you can cast your vote before time runs out.

Oh—and did I mention the massive giveaway happening in Wednesday’s episode to celebrate hitting 1,000 YouTube subscribers? Yeah, you’re going to want to make sure you’re subscribed and that notification bell is on, because free LEGO is on the line.

This is one news and rumors roundup you don’t want to miss—the bricks are flying, and the speculation is wild. Tune in now!

Music Credit: YouTube Music Library

LEGO investing in 2025: Mission Impossible…?

It used to be simple—buy a set, stash it away, wait a couple years, and cash in when it retired. But those days? Gone like a sealed Café Corner for under $500. In this episode, I break down five fundamental issues that have turned LEGO investing from a sure thing into an uphill battle that feels more like running through a gauntlet made of 1x1 plates barefoot.

We’ll dig into why it’s harder than ever to predict value growth, how LEGO’s release strategies are flooding the market, and what outside forces—yes, the entire collectibles community—have done in the last decade to shake up the “buy and hold” game. I’ll back it up with historical trends, surprising resale analysis, and a few lessons from past that might make you rethink your entire approach.

But it’s not just doom and gloom. At the end of the episode, I’ll answer three critical questions every LEGO investor should be asking right now:

Is this really a bad thing for the hobby?

What does the future hold for LEGO collectors and resellers?

What’s the smartest strategy moving forward?

If you’ve ever flirted with the idea of buying LEGO as an investment—or you’ve got a closet full of sealed sets waiting for “the right time” like doomsday prep for Brickpocalypse—this episode might just save you from making your next costly mistake.

Music Credit: YouTube Music Library

LEGO… what are you doing?!

Leaked images of the brand-new UCS Death Star have just crash-landed onto the internet, and wow… this thing is different. Not “Oh wow, that’s fresh and exciting” different—more like “Wait… is this a prank?” different. Is LEGO boldly reimagining one of the most iconic Star Wars builds in history, or are they steering the UCS line into some strange, possibly misguided new territory? We’re pulling apart every leaked pixel to figure it out.

And that’s just the opening act—because LEGO’s also unveiled the massive Harry Potter Hogsmeade Village Collectors Edition, along with three other high-priced sets, and we need to have a serious talk about value. These price tags aren’t just creeping up—they’re scaling the side of a UCS Star Destroyer. Are they worth the investment, or is LEGO banking on nostalgia while giving us less brick for our buck?

I’ll be comparing these releases side-by-side with their legendary predecessors, looking at design changes, piece counts, and that ever-controversial price-per-piece ratio. From jaw-dropping leaks to wallet-dropping MSRPs, this episode is your ultimate guide to figuring out if LEGO’s 2025 strategy is genius… or just a giant, brick-built cash grab.

Grab a seat, grab your wallet (and maybe hide it), because we’re going deep into the latest leaks, reveals, and rumors that every LEGO fan needs to know—before you decide whether to smash that preorder button or run in the other direction.

Music Credit: YouTube Music Library